Eclipse would quite literally have rather died than come here tonight, but they were rather susceptible to the mental gymnastics that their mother Twilight could accomplish sometimes. She did have some genuine points after all.

Their other mother Tempest was willing to take them into a part of the clearing that was less populated and they talked Enchanting Show into toning down tonight’s works, slowly easing them into it.

They didn’t necessarily enjoy being cooped up in their room all day.

Even though every step they took on the grass made their migraine more intense, Eclipse was trying their hardest to not panic.

They nearly jumped when Tempest tapped their shoulder, her voice cutting through the building panic.

“Walk a little faster, alright? It’s about to start soon.”

She leaned down and asked more quietly,

“How are you doing?”

Eclipse give a shaky shrug and attempted to smile for their mother, seeing the hope in her eyes.

For these few moments the fear of hurting her feelings was greater than their fear, their anxiety causing them to completely forget the fact that Tempest cared more for their safety than anything.

“I- okay. I’m doing…ok.”

Eclipse mumbled as happily as they were able, their legs wobbling like a baby deer on ice as they approached the spot where the light show would soon begin.

“Good.”

Tempest smiled and passed them a small packet.

“Here are some earplugs if you need them. Though we’re already so far away they’ll hardly be loud at all.”

As if on cue, the bang of the first firework sounded through the air.

The fireworks were bright and vibrant as usual a cacophony of beautiful colors.

Every one in the rainbow, the red, yellows, and oranges being the prettiest.

This wasn’t on Eclipse’s mind in the slightest, however. They used their magic to grab the earplugs and pop them in a few seconds too late.

Their brain was magnifying the sound in their head, ricocheting off of each wall like a bullet.

It was absolutely terrifying.

Their heart began beating like a marching band as they threw themselves under their mother Tempest.

With their head swimming so badly they felt they might throw up, they began to beg and plead with all their might.

“Please! I wanna go home! Please!”

Tempest cringed at the realization that this was a failed plan but quickly complied with their wishes.

“Alright.”

She reached down to gently nudge them up off the ground.

”Come on, let’s go. Try to block it out enough to walk, okay?”

Eclipse would forever be grateful that at least one of their mothers understood.

However, when they had attacks like these, they weren’t of most sound or logical mind.

“No I can’t!”

They shouted up at their mother, their hooves clamping over their face so hard they thought they might hurt themself.

Eclipse was so scared they felt like they were petrified into the grass.

There was no other way around this. They would not walk at any cost, so Tempest tried a different approach.

“I’ll carry you then.”

She knelt down completely to their eye level.

“Hop on.”